Letter To D Alembert By Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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In Letter to d’Alembert, Jean-Jacques Rousseau critically opposes the establishment of a theatre in Geneva. In doing so, Rousseau analyzes the impact of culture on morality, and distances himself from the principles of the Enlightenment. Additionally, he glorifies the heroic ethos of Ancient Rome and Greece, further reinforcing the concept that theatre embodies wasteful amusement. Although the letter is directly addressed to d’Alembert, it is patently meant to inspire the population of Geneva to view the theatre as a reckless act of immorality. Ultimately, this letter clarifies the relationship between politics and social life, issuing a precedent for future Romantic writers. The central argument Rousseau espouses rests on the assertion